2 minute read
WELCOME TO Cane Matters
A shudder ran through Australian agriculture earlier this year as the arrival of varroa mite on Australian shores, and a foot and mouth outbreak in Bali, thrust animal biosecurity into the headlines.
Plant biosecurity is just as important. SRA is continuing to work closely with researchers here and overseas to ensure we are prepared and ready to deal with a future incursion of the sugar industry’s most dreaded exotic pests. In this edition, we share how work is progressing to prepare for and manage exotic moth borers.
Advertisement
In our varieties feature, we drop into the Burdekin to look at SRA23A which is matching popular district standards in strip trials and early plant cane. We also examine what it has to offer from a risk management perspective as the increasing volume of the district’s most common variety prompts a reminder about disease lessons of the past.
Diminishing land under cane is a serious concern in many sugarcane regions, so it is pleasing to see land returning to the industry on the Atherton Tablelands. Read how MSF Sugar is incentivising growers to plant more ground to cane.
Technological advancements and research in our mills also come under the spotlight in this issue. We feature the new model Robert evaporator installed at Victoria Mill, and innovative instrument testing of molasses samples at Rocky Point Mill.
We meet a new ‘mate’ for harvesters with trials of a prototype smartphone harvesting app designed to optimise productivity and profitability. Would the potential to make an extra $100 a hectare entice you to give it a go?
The results of our grower and partner surveys are in, with some ‘green shoots’ suggesting improved satisfaction with SRA – yet we know there is more work to do.
And SRA launches a new funding round, seeking research and innovation proposals to solve key industry challenges. The challenges are among the priority investment areas in our new Annual Investment Plan which was co-developed with industry stakeholders.
Welcome to our Spring edition of Cane Matters.
As always, you can reach me at cweis@sugarresearch.com.au if you have feedback or story suggestions for our next edition. We would love to hear from you.
Cathy Weis Head of Strategy, Insights and Engagement
THANKS TO OUR OUTGOING BOARD DIRECTORS
Two SRA Board Directors, Lindy Hyam and Dr Jeremy Burdon are stepping down at this year’s Annual General Meeting. You may have had the opportunity to meet them when they toured sugarcane growing regions during their terms. We thank them for their work for SRA and the industry over recent years.
SRA’s annual general meeting will be held on Monday 21 November.
The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format with the opportunity to attend either face-to-face at SRA’s Indooroopilly office, or virtually through an online platform.
Members will receive the Notice of 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) during October and will have the opportunity to vote on several resolutions, including the election of new directors and some proposed changes to the SRA constitution.
More information will be shared through the Notice of AGM and SRA’s communications channels in coming weeks.
(Top) Outgoing Director Lindy Hyam with fellow Director Sam Bonanno and MSF’s Mark Magnanini during a visit to Far North Queensland. (Bottom) Director Dr Jeremy Burdon (right) with Chairperson Rowena McNally and farmer Joe Marano in Far North Queensland.
